School board to discuss Stadium Field

November 24, 2012

PARKERSBURG - The bleachers at Stadium Field will be the main topic of discussion at Tuesday's meeting of the Wood County Board of Education.

The bleachers were closed last week after a visual inspection report indicated the nearly 90-year-old cement structures were decaying and were not safe for use.

"We plan to open it up to them to discuss what they feel would be the appropriate next step," Sue Woodward, assistant superintendent of school services, said.

Article Photos

The Wood County Board of Education meets Tuesday to discuss the next step in addressing Parkersburg High School’s Stadium Field. The bleachers were closed last week after an inspection indicated they were not safe. (Photo by Michael Erb)

Woodward said the discussion likely will involve members of the stadium facility and the administration of Parkersburg High School, as well as public comment.

"We have to be very careful to be open and give the opportunity to talk publicly about what is next, because we aren't sure what is next," she said.

Superintendent Pat Law said a likely next step will be finding an architectural firm, not only for Stadium Field, but for other projects as well.

"We're very, very early into all this," he said.

Woodward said the facility receives a yearly inspection from the state Board of Risk Management, which insures the district facilities. Earlier this year the district was cited by the Board of Risk Management for not having a more in-depth inspection done by an outside party.

"This is the year they said, 'you need to go further,' " Woodward said.

The district already has received comments and opinions from residents who are concerned with the state of the stadium.

"There is a lot of concern," Woodward said. "This is a big part of our community."

The board Tuesday also will review a draft of changes to the district's nepotism policy. Officials at the board's last meeting said the policy was never intended to apply to extra-curricular activities, such as in sports when an assistant coach is the spouse or relative of a head coach.

Law said some of the suggested changes have been applied to the policy and board members will have a chance to review the draft at Tuesday's meeting. Any final policy must be placed on a 30-day public comment period before it is approved by the board.

The school board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the administrative offices at 13th and Plum street offices in Parkersburg. The meeting is open to the public.